“We had some good opportunities but you have to finish them when you’re playing a team like UConn,” said head coach Pete Fewing. “They were lethal and their first two goals were their first two chances, so kudos to them. I like the fact that we didn’t give up and kept trying to play. We got a goal at the end, so that’s good, but it’s a learning thing for us so we just have to keep getting better.”
UConn would strike first in the 10th minute with a goal by Ethan Vanacore-Decker from the left side after a cross by Jakob Nerwinski and a one touch by Cyle Larin.
Shots nearly even early in the match, the Redhawks earned four corner kicks over the next 15 minutes, the two sets within less than 45 seconds of each other. SU earned 12 corner kicks over the entire match to the Huskies’ zero.
UConn would take three straight shots near the 30 minute mark, the last of which put the Huskies ahead, 2-0, in the 31st minute. Nerwinski scored a goal of his own as Larin recorded his second straight assist.
The Redhawks had their best early chance on a header shot by Kyle Bjornethun (Snohomish, Wash.) following a corner kick in the 39th minute, but the shot sailed wide.
Nicholas Zuniga was taken down in the 18 yard box in the 40th minute as the Huskies earned a penalty kick, taken by Adria Beso Marco. UConn entered halftime ahead, 3-0, despite four straight SU shots, two on goal, to end the half.
Haddadi, coming off the bench and starting the second half, showed early energy as he nearly put the ball in the net in the 47th minute, but it was saved by UConn keeper Jacob Wagmeister.
Haddadi would sink one in for his first goal of the season, heading it in off an assist by Nick Prasad (Surrey, B.C.) as the Redhawks trailed, 3-1.
Brady Ballew (Marysville, Wash.) would take a corner kick as well as the final shot of the game, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit as Seattle U fell, 3-1.
Shots nearly even, the Huskies slightly outshot the Redhawks, 20-18. In goal, Wagmeister made six saves while Shane Haworth (Puyallup, Wash.) made five. Six different Redhawks led the team with two shots, while 12 total took shots for SU. Larin led the Huskies with six shots, two on goal and a pair of assists.
Seattle U takes a roadtrip to St. Mary’s on Friday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. before returning home to host Oregon State on Friday, Sept. 26 and Gonzaga on Sunday, Sept. 28. They will start Western Athletic Conference play at Utah Valley on Oct. 4.
Stay tuned to GoSeattleU.com, Facebook (Seattle U Athletics; Seattle U Men’s Soccer), Twitter (@su_athletics; @SeattleU_MSO) and Instagram (su_redhawks) for all the latest updates on the team throughout the season.